Abstract :
Organizations increasingly rely on external sources of innovation via inter-organizational
network relationships. This paper explores the diffusion and characteristics of collaborative
relationships between universities and industry, and develops a research agenda informed
by an ‘open innovation’ perspective. A framework is proposed, distinguishing university–
industry relationships from other mechanisms such as technology transfer or human
mobility. On the basis of the existing body of research, the role of practices such as
collaborative research, university–industry research centres, contract research and academic
consulting is analysed. The evidence suggests that such university–industry relationships are
widely practised, whereby differences exist across industries and scientific disciplines. While
most existing research focuses on the effects of university–industry links on innovationspecific
variables such as patents or firm innovativeness, the organizational dynamics of
these relationships remain under-researched. A detailed research agenda addresses research
needs in two main areas: search and match processes between universities and firms, and
the organization and management of collaborative relationships.
